HILLCREST Hospital has started referring patients from its Primary Health Care (PHC) and Chronic Disease Management Clinic to various other local clinics as this facility will be no longer be available from April 2020.
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The hospital has been providing PHC and chronic disease management clinic services for more than 20 years.
However, in 2012 Hillcrest Hospital was re-categorised as a specialised physical rehabilitation facility and is required to only provide physical rehabilitation services.
According to a notice put up on the hospital walls from the hospital CEO, MM Mkhize, the PHC and chronic disease management services don’t fall under the specialised physical rehabilitation that the hospital is categorised as and, therefore, needs to close the facility in question.
The process of referring patients began in November and will go on until 31 March 2020.
“Patients will be referred to the following facilities: Halley Scott or Botha’s Hill Clinic, Waterfall Clinic, Ngcolosi Clinic and Kloof Clinic; Patients will also be referred to general practitioners (at the patient’s own cost); St Mary’s Hospital: only patients that require district level of care treatment,” stated the hospital notice.
According to 82-year-old Assagay resident, David Hann, he visited two of the mentioned clinics situated within a reasonable distance from where he lives with the intention of registering for medical treatment and support but learned that these clinics don’t stock the prescribed medication.
“On requesting alternative medication from the doctor at Hillcrest Hospital, her response was that she would issue us with a ‘private script’ for the medication not available, furthermore should that not suit us, then we should go to St Mary’s Hospital in Mariannhill.
“On 20 November 2019 we spoke with the CEO of Hillcrest Hospital concerning this problem and the response we received was that the matter would be referred to a higher authority.
“St Mary’s Hospital in Mariannhill is some 25 kilometres from our residence and being old-age pensioners in our 80s, transportation is a major problem to get to and from these far off facilities,” he said.
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Another disgruntled patient is Pinetown resident, Violet Cunningham (88), who has been attending the Hillcrest clinic for 19 years.
She was shocked to learn that she now has to change her routine and find a wheelchair friendly clinic.
“This is unfair to all who rely and depend on this clinic especially the elderly and mothers who have been going to the clinic for years. Change for the elderly is extremely traumatic,” said Cunningham’s daughter and caregiver, Colleen Wadley.
Also shocked by the decision to close the clinic is Ingrid Maier (72) who has epilepsy and fears that travelling to Mariannhill will be too costly and in any event she may she suffer a seizure on route.
“The closing of the clinic is a huge and upsetting disappointment,” she said.
Patients will not be referred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli or RK Khan Hospital.
The Department of Health was sent questions and telephonic conversations was had about this matter, but unfortunately no comment was provided by the time of publication.
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